A 50-year-old travel agent has pleaded guilty to four counts of fraudulent conversion before the High Court, admitting to offences that defrauded the government and two private individuals of more than $44,000.
According to Antigua.news, Michelle Anthony, of Lightfoot, entered her guilty pleas before Justice John Spencer on Wednesday. The offences were committed at Old Parham Road and in St. John's between 2022 and 2023. Sentencing has been scheduled for September 25.
The charges stem from allegations that Anthony fraudulently converted funds belonging to the government and two other victims. She was first charged in December in connection with the matter.
The largest sum involved exceeded $29,000, which investigators said was taken from the government in relation to arrangements by the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission to send the Hells Gate Steel Orchestra — the reigning Panorama champions at the time — to New York for the city's Antigua and Barbuda Day celebrations in August 2023.
The Festivals Commission had previously stated that the loss caused major disruptions to its planned activities, including Labour Day celebrations in New York that year.
Prosecutors further alleged that Anthony fraudulently converted several thousand dollars belonging to two other individuals during the same period.
The case had previously appeared before the court for a committal hearing, which was adjourned to April 24 before Anthony ultimately entered guilty pleas to all four counts. Justice Spencer has adjourned the matter to September 25, when Anthony is expected to be sentenced.
